Chapter 7

Chapter 7…

… 

Riding beneath the vibrant sunset, I held onto Edna’s shirt not too tight for him to notice but enough to keep me balanced. The wind tousles through my hair as the rhythmic gallop of the horse beneath me echoes the pounding of my heart.

Behind me was the lady who I still am  yet to know her name. Just as I closed my eyes, inhaling sharply with anticipation for a long journey. The horse suddenly made a stop forcing me to open my eyes back up.

“We are here!” Sir Edna’s voice was sharp, unlike his normal cheerful tone. I watched as the lady made a swift exit from the horseback as I struggled to get down holding onto the horse for support. 

Slowly my eyes traveled round, again the Architecture. I have grown to expect more to help me stay grounded and not marvel every time.

“This is the East Palace, it was shut down years ago and reopened today,” She said as I looked around, there was no sight of the palace I knew about. The castle-like home in front of me was massive but not as large as the one I know of.  

“So where can I? I mean she… find the prince?” She asked in my stead as Edna finally smiled. 

“His Highness is hand-picking his servants,” he motioned for us to follow him. I nodded withholding my questions. 

Upon Entering the gate, I was taken by surprise at how nosy everywhere was, from the outside it was quiet. The sheer amount of familiar faces. The knights conversed in loud voices with their hands and mouths filled with food and drinks.  

Closely I followed behind Edna as quietly as possible hoping not to be noticed.

“The boy with a girl’s name!” a voice called out followed by loud laughter from the crowd. 

“What did you just call me?” I saw the storm in Edna’s eyes as he turned around walking past me with anger burning from his eyes.

“What are you hoping to achieve?” The unfamiliar man said laughing.

“Don't think because you ride close to the prince makes you any special, you are still the little boy with a girl's name who is afraid to strike,” I watched in pure horror as Edna threw a punch at him. 

“They never grow up, do they?” She whispered to me nonchalantly. I was taken aback, and the fight slowly escalated. Soon Edna drew his swords as they began to get at it. 

So he wasn't all smiles like he always appeared, I guess being told his name sounds like that of a lady really pisses him off, I always thought his name was unique but same as any name I have come across so far. 

“I really need to find His Highness,” I voiced my concern but unfortunately for me, my eyes met and locked with that of the enemy. Laux. He smiled as I began to walk backward in fear. Running away from him immediately.

“Hello little wolfie,” His voice sent chills down my spine, throughout the entire trip to LYTHRIA he made his intention of having me very known, and thankfully because of the prince it was impossible but now in the midst of a crowd anything can happen.

I moved back still I hit a hard surface, my breath hitched as I turned around with fear written all over me. My eyes grew Wider upon seeing who I had stumbled upon. The Prince with his brows arched all the way up. 

“And what is so fun that it couldn't wait for me to begin!” he obviously was pissed as he moved ahead of me going straight to the middle. The fight slowly died down with Edna on the floor.

“Would you explain what exactly is going on here?”He asked the man still wedging his sword at Edna. 

“I am sorry Your Highness,” he slowly lowered his sword and his head. Everybody stood still including Laux. 

“For years, we fought at the border, some of you here could only dream of returning home to visit your loved ones, and today it's finally possible. The East palace has been opened not just for me but for all of you and this is how you celebrate?” They all lowered their heads like children being told off. I watched as Edna rose from the ground kneeling instead.

“Are you that bored? It's only two moons and you can't wait to fight already? Do you wish to go back to the battlefield that badly?” I could see the disappointment on his face as he looked at Edna. 

He stormed off after that, as Edna immediately followed behind. Stunned, I became alarmed.

“You again,” It was Anakim this time as he looked at me with a frown, his hands folded.

“I am here to speak to His Highness,” I said apologetically 

“If you wish to thank him, you don't have to.” He said as I nodded.

“I am not here to thank him, I must meet his highness or a trusted individual, somebody closest to his highness,” I said watching him crack an annoyed look.

“What could the reason possibly be?” he asked me.

“Are you a trusted person to His Highness or the royal family?” I asked 

“Of what importance is my answer to you?” He questioned.

“Your answer determines if I tell you..”

“Why aren't you taking her to His Highness,” the voice cut me short. It belonged to the lady.

“Henrietta.” He called her as she smiled brightly at him.

“Let her meet him, it's important,” she said softly, giving me a knowing smile. After an intense minute of him staring at me, he finally led the way to the route the prince followed away from the grumpy knights who had been told off earlier.

From a distance, I could see him speaking with Edna, from their body language I could see the disappointment in him. And how apologetic Edna seemed.

“Your Highness,” Anakim spoke first, slowly he turned around. This time his face held a different emotion. Slowly I followed his gaze, he was staring at the young Lady. I watched his face return to normal but even if it was fleeting I was sure of what I saw. 

“Henrietta,” he called her name as she smiled.

“Your Highness,” she lowered her head gracefully as he stopped her. Finally, his eyes met with mine. Unlike earlier he wasn't mad, his eyes held nothing as he stared at me.

“She wishes to speak to you,” Anakim spoke on my behalf. He gave a nod as they slowly walked away except Henrietta.

“I wish to speak to you alone,” I said, looking at the surprise on her face.

“You can say anything in front of her,” he said but I wasn't about to say anything yet.

“Speak!” he commanded. I held my tongue, folding my hand nervously.

“I will excuse myself,” she said, not waiting for an answer, she walked away. I have nothing against her, no anybody rather, I know he wouldn't want others to hear this.

“You need not thank me, staying away from me should be your priority,” he said.

“I am not here to thank you, Your Highness and I wish not to see you too,” I couldn't hold my tongue. 

“Oh really,” he chuckled, his facial muscles relaxing. For a moment I watched the dimple resting by the side of his face.

“You are about to be killed, your Highness.” I immediately covered my mouth, shocked at myself. His forehead formed a line as he stared at me.

“I know what you are thinking. That I am a spy. But I am not, you have to trust me,” my words were weak and shallow but I prayed that he wouldn't laugh in my face and call me delusional.

“You don't know what I am thinking? How can something so weak live without fear…that is what I am thinking,” my tongue dried up again as I searched for better words to explain myself. 

“Who will kill me, you?” he asked as I shook my head.

“I do not know, but I am sure of what I heard. A plan has been hatched to plant a slave girl into your home and poison you,” I explained to the best of my knowledge while he just started nonchalantly. 

“And if what you speak of is true, what difference is it to you? If anything you should pray for the plan to work. Wouldn't my death bring you some sort of contentment.” he didn't hold back.

“I do not hate you, not as much as I thought. maybe not to the extent of the people of Daus whom you conquered from their land,” I began searching for words.

“There is still hate,” he spoke so quickly, cutting my thoughts short.

“You are correct, I do not know why I am here now instead of heading back to the slave quarters. Maybe because you saved me. Or perhaps just a normal instinct. I apologize deeply for overstepping once again,” I lowered my gaze as I slowly turned away.

“And where do you think you are heading?” he asked, making me pause.

“You must have lived a very carefree life. One that doesn't warrant critical thinking. You live too recklessly,” his words were bitter as I bit my tongue turning to face him.

“Perhaps because I don't really know a thing about here, where I am from there are no ridiculous rules nor do we have slaves,” I slapped my mouth as my eyes widened in fear.

“I'm impressed you have lived so long,” he said, approaching as I moved back in fear.

“trespassing into a guarded area made for a royal and again warning a royal about their life, tell me how you still manage to live?” he asked.

“Your Highness I misspoke,” I said moving back.

“I will forgive you,” he said 

“I will pretend none of this happened but there is a price, a condition,” he said, still standing in front of me. No escape as my back had reached the walls.

“You will serve me,” I listened, waiting for the price. 

I have been serving them haven't I?

“Is that it?” I whispered as he finally moved away allowing me to breathe properly finally.

“You will not be allowed out of the east palace anymore,” he added as I immediately began to think.

“You will work here,” he said. I exhaled wondering how much of a difference it made, it was better than the slave quarters. I was a bit overjoyed. I held myself together not to show it.

“I will do as you said your Highness, I will evaluate my choices from now on, I apologize for insolence so far,” I said lowering my head.

“You will work as my personal maid and you must figure out who was sent to kill me.” 

Slowly but surely his words sank in.

“What?”...